Selected to build affordable homes in Holmhurst

We are pleased to announce that we have been appointed by housing provider Optivo to build 208 new affordable homes in Holmhurst St. Mary near Hastings, East Sussex. We can also confirm our plans to restore and safeguard a 300-Year-Old Listed Monument.

208 new affordable homes

The new homes will be a combination of 31 one and two-bed apartments across two blocks and 177 two, three and four-bed family houses. The development, which has full planning approval, will deliver much-needed housing split between affordable rent and shared ownership.

Work is expected to begin on site in Autumn 2022 with completion in Spring 2025.

Grade 2 listed statue restoration

At the heart of the community we will provide landscaping, footpaths and benches that showcase a Grade 2 listed statue of Queen Anne; a monument that we will also restore.

Unveiled to the public in 1713, the Queen Anne Statue was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and installed at St Paul’s Cathedral. After the original was damaged, a replica of the original was completed in 1885 by sculptor Richard Belt. This replica was then bought and installed in Holmhurst St Mary by Victorian writer Augustus Hare. Historic England confirmed that longstanding lack of regular maintenance meant the statue has been deteriorating rapidly through rainwater from overhanging trees, and saline rain from the sea.

We look forward to restoring the historic monument for the community to enjoy in its original condition once again.

Rob Boughton, CEO of Thakeham, said:

These new homes are significant locally and will help to further meet the need for affordable homes in East Sussex. We know that, together with Optivo, we can make a real difference to the lives of people in the Holmhurst St.Mary area.

We have already worked together on other sustainable developments in the South East. The completed development in Hastings will be hard wired so that, in the future it will be possible to retrofit batteries to store electricity generated via other sources. We are also very pleased to be providing electric car charging points across the development.

We hope the landscaping, space and walkways at Holmhurst St.Mary will give even more people the chance to enjoy the area including an historic sculpture restored to former glories.

Local support

In addition to restoring the Queen Anne Monument, alongside Optivo, we will support residents and maximise job opportunities during the build. Together we will be employing up to 40 apprentices and trainees on site across the duration of the construction contract.

Richard White, executive director for development and sales at Optivo, said:

We’ve over 4,400 homes in Hastings and this exciting development shows our continued commitment to the area. Shifting to a more land-led development means we and our residents will have greater control over the design and quality of our new homes. We’re building places where people want to live and we’re looking forward to delivering another thriving, sustainable neighbourhood.

We look forward to the start of this fruitful community – a new beginning for many families, and breathing life back into the statue of Queen Anne.